Apparatus for washing articles



G. M. GIBSON APPARATUS FOR WASHING ARTICLES Aug. 28, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 4, 1957 U. in x 3..

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Unite States Patent dice Patented Aug. 28, 1962 3,051,184 APPTUS FUR WASEWG ARTHZLES George M. Gibson, G. M. Gibson (Iorporation, Bellevue, Iowa Filed st. 4, 1957, Ser. No. 690,176 27 Claims. (Cl. 134183) This invention relates to an apparatus for washing articles and is particularly directed to an improved construction of a dishwashing machine of the character disclosed and described in my co-pending application Serial No. 572,730, filed on March 20, 1956, that was issued March 22, 1960, as Patent No. 2,929,565.

More specifically the invention is directed to a new improved apparatus devised for the efiicient and effective distribution of the washing fluid in a dishwashing apparatus.

One of the major problems encountered in dishwashing machines and similar devices is to obtain proper and effective washing fluid distribution in such units for optimum eflectiveness in the cleaning operation of the dishes.

It is one or the objects of this invention to overcome this difliculty by providing means to transpose the washing fluid from a continuous given supply source to a given remote point in the form of a predetermined stream and to break up and to direct such a stream at such a point into a 360 degree radial dishwashing discharge to cleanse all the dishes surrounding the area of that remote point.

It is another object of this invention to provide a power driven means to impel a fluid stream from a supply source and to continuously recirculate a given quantity of such fluid in a controlled main stream toward a remote distribution means disposed in the path of said stream and to there redirect said stream of fluid in the form of multiple streams into .the area surrounding said remote means, the fluid automatically returning to the power driven means for such recirculation.

Another object is to provide a distribution means of the character above noted that is made in the form of a revolving vane which is driven by the impact force of t-ne main stream of fluid as it is directed toward said means by the power driven impelling means.

it is another object of this invention to arrange a plurality of dishes in a cabinet, to provide a fluid source at the lower portion of the cabinet with fluid impelling means to expel a continuous stream of the fluid upwardly in a given path between certain of said dishes, and to provide a fluid impact structure at a remote location among said dishes to receive and to redirect said continuous fluid stream in the form of multiple sprays in the direction of all of said dishes in the cabinet.

Another object is to provide a dishwashing cabinet with a bottom fluid receiving drain area to direct such fluid to a fluid pump occupying only a small part of the entire cabinet bottom and which pump is equipped with a Wide ejection nozzle fluid dispersion means to impel the fluid in a predetermined continuous sol-id stream upwardly between the dishes and in a fan-like fashion to spread the stream from wall to wall over the entire length of the dish carrying trays and across the entire dish carrying cabinet space.

Another object is to dispose a revolvable twisted vane in the path of the discharged fan-like solid fluid stream and within a clearance space between the dishes so as to break up the original solid stream and to redirect the fluid thereof in a 360 degree radial surrounding the vane against and between the dishes for eflective washing action.

A still further object is to locate the fluid distribution twisted vane in a clearance space from wall to wall of the cabinet, preferably fore and aft, and to mount the vane upon one of the dish carrying trays or structures that is shifta-bly mounted for movement into and out of the cabinet to carry the dishes during the washing cycle.

Other objects and advantages relating to the features presented in the dishwashing machine of the present invention shall hereinafter appear in the following detailed description having reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred construction thereof and forming a part of this specification.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plan sectional View of the dishwashing machine with other portions thereof broken away and in section to illustrate some of the salient features embodied into the design shown;

FIG. 2 is a transverse vertical cross sectional view of the dishwashing machine substantially as it appears along plane of the line 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fore and aft vertical cross sectional view of the same machine substantially as it appears along the plane of the line 3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross sectional view taken transversely through a modified construction of an article or dishwashing machine, illustrating generally a variation in the trays and the article carrying rack equipment and a concept wherein the fluid deflecting means is mounted upon the lower tray;

PEG. 5 is a plan view of the fluid deflecting means employing in the PEG. 4 dishwashing machine, with the fluid pump having a water fanning discharge action as shown in FlG. 3 of the first form of the machine;

PEG. 6 is a fragmentary portion of another dishwashing apparatus viewed in a like plane as are the devices in FIGS. 2 and 4, the FIG. 6 construction providing a fluid pressure pump having a discharge nozzle that is circular in cross section at its mouth to impel a concentrated fluid stream toward fluid deflecting means centrally located within the cabinet of the apparatus;

FIG. 7 illustrates a further modified construction of the unit shown in FIG. 6, the variation being principally concerned with the mounting of the fluid deflecting means upon the lower tray in FIG. 7 while such means is carried upon the upper tray in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the dishwashing machine partially broken away and diagrammatically showing the location of the fluid deflecting means shown in FIG. 6; and

FIG. 9 illustrates another modified arrangement of the pressurized fluid handling mechanism system and the fluid deflecting or dispersion means that may be employed in a machine of this general character.

In general, a great many of the structural features of the present dishwashing machine are more completely disclosed and described in my co-pending application Serial No. 572,730 that was filed on March 20, 1956 now Patent No. 2,929,565. For purposes of better understanding the invention, a brief description of the machine will be beneficial.

As shown in the drawings, an article or dish carrying and confining cabinet 1 is mounted upon a hollow base structure 2, the cabinet per so being closed on three sides and the top, but being open downwardly and forwardly with an outwardly and downwardly swingable door 3 closing the forward cabinet opening 4. Door 3 and the adjacent cabinet edges are provided with a labyrinth steam and water seal 5 and the door includes a central vapor and heat venting arrangement 6.

Upper and lower dish carrying trays or racks 7 and 8 are shiftably supported within the cabinet 1 and when loaded with dishes or other articles these items till the cabinet space provided for the Washing area. Rack 7 has supporting wheels 9 riding on cabinet rails 10 with rear stabilizing wheels 11 engaging the cabinet top 12.

Rack 8 is provided with Wheels 13 to ride upon cabinet rails 14 and to engage wheel guide means 15 on the door 3 when the latter is opened into extended position as shown in broken lines in FIG. 3.

As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the racks 7 and 8 are composite wire and metal strap units shaped and formed to respectively carry such dishes as the cups 16, 17 and glasses 18, and the variably sized plates 19 and 20 as all best illustrated in FIG. 2. A certain part of one of the racks, such as the space 21 in the lower rack 8, may 1b; provided for a silverware tray or basket 8a and the The foregoing generally describes the main structural details of an article or dishwashing apparatus that may well embody and incorporate the various cooperative units of the present invention in an eflicient and effective arrangement for carrying out the washing and cleansing cycle of the machine. Continuing with the description, it should be noted that a drain pan reservoir or division diaphragm 22 is interposed between the cabinet 1 and the base structure 2 to provide a fluid catching area adjacent the open bottom of the cabinet. This drain pan 22 has inwardly and downwardly sloping walls 23 that terminate in a co-planar flange 24 that connects with the upper and lower peripheral flanges 25 and 26 of the separable housing sections or casings 27 and 28 of a fluid pump 29 suspended and supported by the drain pan flange 24 within the clearance space of the base structure 2. The sandwiched arrangement of the flanges 24, 25 and 26 provides a sealed joint, and although not shown, suitable gasket means may be employed if desirable.

Pump 29 is provided with laterally positioned troughs or sumps 36 and 31 that communicate with side inlet ports 32 and 33 in the pump casing walls providing fluid access to the impeller chamber 34 of the pump. A perforated plate or screen member 35 seats in a suitable recessed portion 36 in the top pump casing flange 25 and surrounds the pump proper for covering the fluid inlet areas to the pump.

A multiple vane or bladed impeller 37 is mounted upon the pump drive shaft 38 carried in leak proof bearings such as 39 and 46 in the pump structure 29, the impeller being confined to the chamber 34 of the pump. Pump 29 further includes the fluid discharge nozzle 41 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, this nOZZle being formed with divergent wide angled lateral edge walls 42 and 43 as seen in FIG. 3, and with converging side walls 44 and 45 as seen in FIG. 2 to provide a directional power fluid discharge nozzle that produces a solid controlled water curtain of fan-like shape that is aimed along a predetermined path into and through the cabinet 1.

As seen in FIG. 2, the pump 29 has a bottom drain cavity 46 that communicates with the lower end of a fixture 47 through a valved port 48. The fixture 47 has a standpipe 49 presenting an inlet mouth 50 disposed at a level that determines the normal full fluid level of the washing system of the dishwasher and which level is in this case substantially coincident with the upper surface level of the drain pan reservoir 22. Fixture 47 has an outlet opening 51 at its bottom end through which overflow fluid may be suitably drained away, said same opening 51 also providing the means to empty the drain pan reservoir portion of the machine through selected operation of a valve 52 by a stem 53 that is actuated by a solenoid 54.

The pump is power operated by means of a motor 55 that may be conveniently mounted by suspending it from the underside of the drain pan 22. The motor shaft 56 connects the motor 55 through a coupling 57 to the adjacent end of the pump shaft 38 in the manner best illustrated in FIG. 3.

A suitable heat source is provided in the form of an electrical heating coil 58 connected in peripheral contact with the pump casing to encircle portions of the inlet troughs 31 and 32 and the casing portions proper of the pump. Suitable wiring is used to supply the heating coil 53 and the motor 55 with current. A master switch 59 is placed into the electrical supply circuit to be regulated or controlled by an arm 60 rigidly connected with the door 3. Thus washer operation is interrupted or rendered impossible while the door is opened to thereby provide a safety means as well as a cycle interruption arrangement to cut off all water action at the instant that the door is being opened. The machine also incorporates a timer and control unit 61 shown in FIG. 2 which functions along the general scheme of operation more fully described in my co-pending application hereinbefore identified.

Water supply to the drain pan and pump reservoir is provided through a suitable valving unit 62 that is connected by means of a threaded inlet pipe 63 with an external water source and which discharges supply water through the nozzle 64 of an inverted end pipe 65. This valving unit may include various automatic control mechanisms if required such as a solenoid controlled inlet valve and/ or thermostatic control means for water temperature regulation if that should be desired for certain conditions of operation.

The washing machine mechanism is completed by the use of a fluid dispersion means in the form of a twisted vane 66 having multiple convolutions or turns 67 with this entire unit positioned in a given relation in the path of the fluid discharged from the impulsion nozzle comprising an integral part of the power driven pump. As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the vane 66 has end bosses or sleeve units 68 and 69 that carry stub shafts or pintles 70 and 71 which are journalled in bearing strips or plates 72 and 73 suitably secured to the fore and aft end wires 74 and 75 of the upper dish carrying rack 7. It should be noted that the wire structure of rack 7 provides a V-clearance area as shown in FIG. 2 that accommodates the vane 66 in a position fore and aft of the cabinet. Also, by the shapes of the integral parts of the racks 7 and 8, and by the arrangement of the various dishes, cups and glasses, a very appropriate location is established for the vane 66 in a clearance area between the dish groupings and remote from the fluid discharge nozzle 41 of the pump 29. Thus, the fluid dispersion or distributing means is located at a point high in the cabinet to be struck or engaged by a predetermined solid stream of fluid that is directed through an uninterrupted clearance area provided between the dishes so as to contact the fluid dispersion means that functions to break up the fluid stream and redirects it toward the dishes surrounding the location of the distribution mechanism.

By its very shape, the vane 66 provides for a 360 degree radial fluid spray driving in all directions depending upon the points of impact of the solid water stream along the length of the twisted vane whereby the reaction causes fluid rebound normal to the multiple curved surface areas on said vane. As a further attribute to obtain an optimum fluid action, the vane is rotatably mounted to turn upon its own long axis upon its bearing supports. Rotation is guaranteed by providing a location for the vane that is offset to a certain degree from the median path of the main stream that is impelled in fan fashion upwardly from the pump out of the nozzle thereof. Vane 66 or any similar comparable twisted vane is, therefore, provided with blade portions having or adapted to present certain connected angular and broadside areas to operatively intercept the path of the solid concentrated jet stream to break up and to redirect such a stream into multiple and radiated individual sprays rebounding from the angular and/ or broadside areas of the vane.

Thus an efficient 360 degree dispersion of the washing fluid results at a location remote from the power stream discharge source to do the most good in an area surrounded by the articles being washed. The vane constantly changes the rebound deflection of the washing fluid streams by its very shape and by its rotation under the action of the very stream of fluid that it disintegrates so to speak. The spray travels transversely and in a fore and aft direction within the cabinet with portions thereof assuming diagonal paths throughout the cabinet.

The vane is carried in fore and aft relation upon the rack 7 and can therefore be removed bodily from the cabinet with the rack for cleaning or servicing in any fashion whatsoever. Furthermore, the vane extends the full length of the cabinet while the initial fluid stream supply mechanism need only occupy a relatively small central area at the bottom portion of the machine cabinet and in an area below the confines or limits of the cabinet per se. Actually, the machine is capable of carrying out the washing operation with a comparatively small quantity of washing fluid.

Then through the proper sequence of operation as brought about with a suitable circuit as controlled by the timer control 61 shown in FIG. 2, a stage by stage washing cycle can be carried out much along the lines as suggested in my co-pending application. Briefly, a filling stage is used, a Washing stage, one or more rinse stages, a drain stage and a drying stage wherein the pump blows heated air against the deflection or distribution vane to thoroughly dry the articles confined within the cabinet.

The supply water is preferably brought into the reservoir area cold or at some selected low temperature to prewet the articles during pump and vane operation. All the other stages are subjected to the selected timed operations of the solenoids 54 and 62 to actuate their attached valving units in a sequence that may be readily understood.

The foregoing description has been directed to an article washing machine using multiple trays and having the fluid deflecting means mounted and carried by an upper tray. In the form of the invention disclosed in FIGS. 4 and 5, the fluid deflecting means is mounted upon a lower tray.

The machine or apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 briefly comprises a drain pan 76 contiguously arranged with the walls of a cabinet 77, a fluip pump means 78, a fluid deflecting means 79, upper and lower trays 80 and 81, with wheel and track means 82--83 for the upper tray 8!) and wheel and track means 84-85 for the lower tray 81. The upper tray 80 is made to carry all of the mixed articles or dishes in this instance so as to present the mouths of dishes 8687 or the open portions of other similar articles in radial relation to the source of the spray or fluid distribution area. A cutlery tray or basket 88 is carried at one side of tray 80 and extends from front to back in the cabinet 77. The dishes 899il or other articles are carried to occupy positions that are in general transverse relation with the cabinet 77 to receive the spray or fluid streams thereagainst and therebetween from the fluid deflection or distribution area.

In the FIG. 4 and 5 construction, the fluid deflecting means 79 comprises a spiral vane 91 that occupies a position fore and aft of the cabinet. The vane 91 has pintles 92 and 93 pivotally supported in bearing brackets 94 and 95 that are suitably secured to structural parts such as 96 and 97 of the lower tray 81.

With this arrangement, the dispersion or spray distribution deflecting means 79 is carried in an upright position over and above tray 31. Thus, when the tray is removed from the machine for loading or unloading, it can be readily placed upon any suitable surface without injury or damage to the vane structure per se.

This form of the invention utilizes a fluid pump means 7 8 that generally follows the design of pump 29 shown and described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 wherein a fanning and coplanar fluid stream is developed to service the length of the spiral vane 91.

In the forms of the invention further illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 9, the fluid dispersion or deflecting means is provided in a central spot area of the cabinet and a concentrated solid cylindrical stream of fluid is developed by pump means to engage the deflecting means for radial distribution of the main stream into a plurality of pressurized finely divided streams radiating in all directions from such a central cabinet area and fanning out throughout such article holding cabinet.

FIG. 6 portrays such a washing apparatus that generally follows the other constructions hereinbefore disclosed. FIG. 6 shows upper and lower trays 98 and 99 with a pinwheel fluid deflector 100 rotatably mounted with a sleeve 109a upon a depending pin or shaft 191 suspended from a structural part 162 of the upper tray 98. A fluid pump 193 expels fluid under pressure through a cylindrically shaped nozzle 194 that directs a solid cylindrical fluid stream toward the central deflecting area or zone of the cabinet wherein the fluid stream is disintegrated by the pinwheel deflector 1%. The vanes or blades 1(35 of the pinwheel are formed in contiguous multiple curvatures to in duce upward as well as reentrant spread of the broken up portions of the fluid stream, plus radially outwardly deflection to produce a pressurized shower head servicing the entire cabinet interior and washing the articles supported within the cabinet. Trays 93 and 99 are movably supported within the cabinet as in the other constructions described.

iG. 8 serves to illustrate the location of the deflection unit iii-9 in horizontal relation to the cabinet area. The position of the deflection unit 1% taken vertically of the cabinet is also about midway of the height of the article carrying area of the cabinet.

FIG. 7 provides an arrangement wherein a fluid pump res delivers a solid cylindrical fluid stream to a long stemmed pinwheel 107 that is pivotally mounted upon a pin or shaft 108 mounted upon a structural part 109 of the lower tray 99a. The individual blades 110 of the pinwheel 107 operate in an area centrally of the cabinet and immediately below the upper tray 98a. The shapes of the blades 11%? are such as to promote complete fluid dispersion throughout the cabinet area.

One other arrangement of washing apparatus appears in FIG. 9, wherein a fluid guiding or conducting tube 111 is supported upon the lower tray 99b to receive fluid from the nozzle 112 of the fluid pump 113 and to direct such fluid against fluid deflecting and distributing mechanism such as shown at 114. While various kinds of deflecting means may be employed at 114, the one illustrated comprises a pair of pinwheels 115 and 116 that are both rotatably carried upon a pin 117 mounted upon the tube 111 and outwardly from the upper end thereof. The individual blades 118 and 119 of the pinwheels are curved predominantly to produce opposite rotation to the pinwheels to create a multiple fluid dispersion shower head to produce and carry on the article washing operation.

Vthile the foregoing description has been directed to several related constructions of dishwashing machines, incorporating the principles and features of the present invention, certain further variations in the constructions of the various elements or in the combinations thereof are contemplated. Such modifications shall, however, be governed by the breadth and scope of the language contained in the individual appended claims defining the concept of the invention of the dishwashing machine herein disclosed.

What I claim is:

l. A dishwashing machine comprising a cabinet enclosing a given dishwashing space, dish carrying trays to support dishes to be washed throughout the dishwash ing space, fluid impelling means supported outside and below the dish carrying confines of said cabinet and having a discharge nozzle to direct a stream of washing fluid along a given path into and across the interior of said cabinet, and a freely rotatable fluid deflecting vane operable about an axis disposed across the dishwashing space and across the path of the stream of washing fluid, said vane being supported at an elevated position within said cabinet space and in close proximity among the tray supported dishes within said cabinet dish carrying space and in the path of said fluid stream, impingement of said, stream causing rotation of said vane, said vane acting to deflect the fluid out of its given path toward and against the dishes supported above and below said vane within said cabinet space.

2. A dishwashing machine comprising a cabinet, rack means to support a cluster of dishes in a given separated relation throughout the interior of said cabinet, fluid impelling means to direct a concentrated washing fluid jet in a given uninterrupted path into said cluster of dishes between said separated dishes, a fluid deflecting vane member supported within said cluster of dishes and within the confines of said cabinet in the path of said washing fluid jet, said deflecting vane member having multiple angularly disposed surface areas thereon to break up and to distribute the fluid of the jet within the cluster of dishes toward and between the respective dishes and in directions both above and below the vane member location in the cabinet.

3. A dishwashing machine comprising a cabinet, means to support a cluster of dishes in a given separated relation through the interior of the cabinet, fluid impelling means to direct a solid washing fluid jet in a given uninterrupted path into said cluster between said separated dishes, and an elongated fluid deflecting vane member transversely supported within said cluster of dishes and within said cabinet across the path of said washing fluid jet, said deflecting vane member presenting multiple angularly disposed surface areas to break up and distribute said jet fluid within said cluster of dishes toward and between the respective dishes above both and below the vane member within said cabinet, said deflecting vane member being supported for movement relative to said cabinet, and said fluid jet imparting motion to said deflecting vane member.

4. An article washing machine comprising a cabinet, openwork article supporting racks removably mounted Within said cabinet, said racks being arranged to provide an open space therebetween and among the supported articles within said cabinet, a fluid pump connected with said cabinet and having a nozzle positioned to direct fluid through at least one of the openwork racks toward the open space between said racks, means to supply fluid to said pump, and a fluid deflector supported in the cabinet within the open space between said racks and in the path of the fluid discharged from said nozzle to break up and to deflect said nozzle fluid in the direction of the articles supported within the racks surrounding said open space, said fluid deflector being rotatably mounted directly upon one of said removable article supporting racks for bodily removal from said cabinet with said one rack.

5. A dishwashing machine comprising a cabinet onclosing a given volumetric dishwashing space over a drain pan reservoir bottom, openwork rack units supported within said cabinet dishwashing space, dish orienting elements on said rack units to accept and to hold selected dishes in a predetermined pattern throughout said cabinet dishwashing space and to provide an open dish free access path extending from said reservoir to a vertically remote concentrated area nested amid the supported dishes which occupy positions above, below and laterally adjacent said area, fluid impelling means carried by said reservoir including a directional fluid discharge member to eject a jet of washing fluid through at least one of the openwork rack units and along said open dish free access path toward the aforesaid vertically remote concentrated area in said cabinet, and deformed fluid deflecting means supported within said cabinet at a location coincident with the aforesaid vertically remote concentrated area amid the dishes Within the cabinet, said deflecting means functioning to break up and to deflect multiple portions of the jet fluid in scattered directions toward and against the dishes surrounding said concentrated area within the volumetric dishwashing space of the cabinet.

6. In a dishwashing machine of the character set forth and defined in claim 5, wherein said deformed fluid deflecting means comprises a movably mounted deflector that is operably set in motion by impact contact with said fluid jet.

7. In a dishwashing machine of the character set forth and defined in claim 5, wherein said rack means cornprise individual trays removably supported Within said dishwashing space in said cabinet, and said fluid deflecting means is movably mounted upon one of said removable trays for withdrawal from said cabinet with said one tray.

8. in a dishwashing machine of the character set forth and defined in claim 5, wherein said fluid discharge member comprises a fluid ejecting nozzle disposed beneath the dishwashing space of the cabinet, said ejection nozzle occupying a limited central cabinet location and having a narrow Width divergent mouth directed upwardly into the cabinet to provide a fan shaped jet to enter the dishwashing space of the cabinet, said deformed fluid deflecting means comprising a vane member extending across said cabinet in the defined concentrated area from wall to wall thereof, said divergent nozzle mouth having an angulan'ty to permit the spread of said fan shaped jet to engage the full length of the cabinet length vane member.

9. in a dishwashing machine of the character set forth and defined in claim 5, wherein said fluid impelling means comprises a pump having a discharge nozzle to impel an uninterrupted solid fluid stream through the rack means along the open dish free access path toward said fluid deflecting means, and said deformed fluid deflecting means comprises a loosely and freely mounted vane rotatably operable upon an axis disposed oifside with respect to the path of travel of said fluid stream for off center contact of said vane by the fluid stream to impart rotation to said vane.

10. An'article washing machine comprising a cabinet enclosing a dishwashing space, openwork article supporting racks having dish orienting means to arrange dishes in a predetermined cluster Within said cabinet dishwashing space with at least one of said racks establishing a dish free avenue leading into the central area of said cluster of dishes, a fluid pump, a fluid discharge nozzle for said pump having the discharge mouth thereof directed toward said racks and aimed to deliver a stream of washing fluid along said dish free avenue into said central area amid said dishes, and a fluid deflector supported within said cabinet dishwashing space in the central area among the dishes in the path of the nozzle fluid stream to break up and to scatter the fluid stream from said nozzle for spray contact with the dishes in said cluster.

11. In an article washing machine of the character set forth and defined in claim 10, wherein said fluid deflector comprises an elongated deformed vane rotatably mounted for free rotation about an axis located in oflset relation from the path of the fluid stream ejected from said nozzle to impart fluid actuated rotation to said vane.

12. A dishwashing machine comprising a cabinet enclosing a given volumetric dishwashing space, wire racks to orient dishes within the dishwashing space in said cabinet, said racks being mounted in upper and lower portions of the cabinet to arrange the dishes into adjacent upper and lower groups together substantially filling said washing space, said lower rack providing a rack structure to support the dishes on this rack so as to provide a dish free avenue therebetween for access into an internal area between said racks and between the dishes supported thereby, fluid impelling means carried by said cabinet to eject a concentrated stream of washing fluid into the cabinet washing space through the lower rack along the dish free access avenue toward said internal area between said dishes, and a deflecting means supported in the afore said internal area in the path of the ejected washing fluid stream to break up and to redirect parts thereof into and against the dishes in said upper and lower groups in said cabinet.

13. A dishwashing mach.- 1e of the character set forth and defined in claim 12, wherein said cabinet has an access door and guide means for the guided removal of said racks for the charging or the removal of dishes, and wherein said deflecting means comprises an elongated vane member disposed for operation along an axis located in said internal area of the cabinet in a position parallel to the direction of movement of said racks in relation to said cabinet to avoid interference with racked dishes and rack parts.

' 14. In the combination of claim 13 with the vane member solely mounted upon one of said racks for orientation within said cabinet by said rack and for bodily removal from the interior of the cabinet with its carrying rack.

15. In the combination of claim 12 wherein said deflecting means comprises a vane member mounted between end portions of said upper rack and upwardly inwardly with respect to the bottom extremities of said one rack to permit resting of said rack upon a surface without damage to said vane member when said rack is removed from the cabinet.

16. In the combination or" claim 15, wherein cooperative separable mounting means are connected with said rack and the cabinet respectively to position said vane member in a predetermined relation with respect to the path of the stream of washing fluid directed into the cabinet by said impelling means.

17. in an article washing machine comprising a walled enclosure defining an article filled washing space having a. source of washing fluid located therebelow, in combination, a fluid impelling means adapted to direct a solid concentrated stream of the fluid from said source upwardly into the washing space in a continuous uninterrupted jet stream directed between certain of the articles to an elevated zoned region located among said articles with the latter occupying positions both above and below said elevated zonal region in said washing space, and a multi-surfaced fluid dividing and dispersing means disposed in said washing space within said zonal region, said fluid dividing and dispersing means having angularly disposed blade portions including certain broadside areas thereon all arranged to crosswise intercept the path of said solid concentrated jet stream to break up and to redirect such stream into multiple sprays radiating in all directions from said blade portions of said dividing and dispersing means throughout said walled enclosure and in all directions as considered from said zonal region toward and against the articles filling said washing space and in the direction of the articles located above and below the location of the fluid dividing and dispersing means.

18. In the combination of claim 17, wherein removable rack units are supported within the washing space to orient the articles throughout said space, and said fluid dividing and dispersing means are mounted directly upon one of said racks.

19. In an article washing machine comprising a walled enclosure defining an article filled washing space having a source of washing fluid located therebelow, in combination, a fluid impelling means adapted to direct a solid concentrated stream of the fluid from said source upwardly into the washing space in a continuous uninterrupted jet stream directed between certain of the articles to an elevated zoned region located among said articles with the latter occupying positions both above and below said elevated zonal region in said Washing space, and a multi-surfaced fluid dividing and dispersing means disposed in said washing space within said zonal region to intercept said jet stream to break up and to redirect such stream into multiple sprays radiating throughout said walled enclosure in all directions from said zonal region toward and against the articles filling said washing space, said fluid dividing and dispersing means comprising a freely rotatable pin- 19 wheel structure to receive and to redirect said ejected fluid stream.

20. In an article Washing machine comprising a walled enclosure defining an article filled Washing space having a source of washing fluid located therebelow, in combination a fluid impelling means adapted to direct a solid concentrated stream of the fluid from said source up wardly into the washing space in a continuous uninterrupted jet stream directed between certain of the articles to an elevated zoned region located among said articles with the latter occupying positions both above and below said elevated zonal region in said washing space, and a multi-surfaced fluid dividing and dispersing means disposed in said washing space within said zonal region to intercept said jet stream to break up and to redirect such stream into multiple sprays radiating throughout said walled enclosure in all directions from said zonal region toward and against the articles filling said washing space, said fluid dividing and dispersing means comprising at least two pinwheel structures supported in said zonal region in said Washing space, with mounting means in said cabinet to carry said pinwheels for free and independent rotation with respect to each other and in the path of the fluid stream ejected from said impelling means.

21. In an article washing machine comprising a walled enclosure defining an article filled washing space having a source of washing fluid located therebelow, in combination, a fluid impelling means adapted to direct a solid concentrated stream of the fluid from said source upward- 1y into the washing space in a continuous uninterrupted jet stream directed between certain of the articles to an elevated zoned region located among said articles with the latter occupying positions both above and below said elevated zonal region in said washing space, and a multisurfaced fluid dividing and dispersing means disposed in said washing space within said zonal region to intercept said jet stream to break up and to redirect such stream into multiple sprays radiating throughout said walled enclosure in all directions from said zonal region toward and against the articles filling said washing space, said cabinet including a fluid conducting tube supported within the washing space with one end of said tube positioned to receive fluid from said fluid impelling means and with the other end of said tube terminating adjacent said fluid dividing and dispersing means to discharge impelled fluid directly to said latter means.

22. In an article washing machine comprising a walled enclosure defining an article filled washing space having a source of washing fluid located therebelow, in combina tion, a fluid impelling means adapted to direct a solid concentrated stream of the fluid from said source upwardly into the washing space in a continuous uninterrupted jet stream directed between certain of the articles to an elevated zoned region located among said articles with the latter occupying positions both above and below said elevated zonal region in said washing space, and a multisurfaced fluid dividing and dispersing means disposed in said washing space within said zonal region to intercept said jet stream to break up and to redirect such stream into multiple sprays radiating throughout said walled enclosure in all directions from said zonal region toward and against the articles filling said washing space, said fluid dividing and dispersing means comprising a pinwheel structure, a shaft in said cabinet to support said pinwheel structure in said washing space for rotation in said zonal region, and mounting means for said shaft to orient the latter in a position substantially axially coincident with respect to the path of upward ejection of said fluid jet stream emanating from said fluid impelling means.

23. A dishwashing machine comprising an enclosure including means to orient dishes within said enclosure and to establish an open dish free avenue among said dishes, a fluid impelling means having a discharge nozzle to direct a controlled concentrated stream of washing fluid along the dish free avenue and between the dishes lodged thereabout, and a movable fluid deflecting mechanism opera tively located with the confines of said enclosure within said dish freeavenue and in the path of the nozzle directed concentrated stream of washing fluid, and supporting means in said enclosure connected with said movable fluid deflecting mechanism to orient said mechanism for operative movement in said fluid path and among the dishes in response to impingement of said stream on said deflecting mechanism, said deflecting mechanism including surface configurations thereabout arranged to flatwise intercept to the stream of washing fluid to cause full 360 radially outwardly fanned distribution of the washing fluid stream out of its nozzle directed path of action and both toward and against the dishes surrounding the dish free avenue.

24. A dishwashing machine comprising a cabinet, dish supporting means in said cabinet to support dishes in a cluster within the cabinet dishwashing area, said dish supporting means providing a lineal open access area into said cluster of dishes, a conduit member having -a nozzle to discharge washing fluid from a given point of origin and disposed to direct a steady concentrated washing fluid stream along a path leading through said access area and between the dishes lodged thereabout, and a fluid deflecting mechanism movably carried in the interior of said access area and in the path of the oncoming discharging fluid stream, impingement of said stream acting to movably actuate the deflecting mechanism, and said deflecting mechanism having angular surface configurations thereon for flatwise stream interception to convert said fluid stream into a radial expanding discharge pattern directed into the cluster of dishes surrounding the open access area and about the path of entry of said fluid stream.

25. A dishwashing machine comprising an enclosure including means to orient dishes Within said enclosure and to establish an open dish free avenue among said dishes, a fluid impelling means having a discharge nozzle to direct a controlled concentrated stream of washing fluid along the dish free avenue and between the dishes lodged thereabout, and a fluid deflecting mechanism operatively supported Within said dish free avenue and in the path of the nozzle directed concentrated stream of washing fluid, said deflecting mechanism including surface configurations arranged flatwise to the stream to cause full 360 radially outwardly fanned distribution of the Washing fluid stream out of its path of action toward and against the dishes surrounding the dish free avenue, said fluid deflecting mechanism being rotatably mounted upon an axis arranged along the dish free avenue and between the dishes lodged about said avenue, and said fluid impelling nozzle being disposed to direct the concentrated stream of fashing fluid toward said deflecting mechanism in a path axially engaging said deflecting mechanism.

26. In the combination of claim 24 wherein said fluid deflecting mechanism is free for movement on an axis lying in the open access area in the cluster of dishes, and said conduit member nozzle is oriented in a position to cause impingement of said stream against said angular surface configuration of said fluid deflecting mechanism and in a direction axially to said deflecting mechanism.

27. In the combination of claim 26, wherein said deflecting mechanism rotates on said axis and said angular surface configurations of said deflecting mechanism that deflect and redirect the concentrated Washing fluid include certain surface configurations adapted to impart rotational movement to said deflecting mechanism under the force of impingement of said Washing fluid stream.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 553,677 Hoyt Jan. 28, 1896 1,462,734 Blakeslee July 24, 1923 1,624,380 Barker Apr. 12, 1927 2,301,601 Wittwer Nov. 10, 1942 2,608,983 Idle Sept. 2, 1952 2,655,163 Lyman Oct. 13, 1953 2,660,185 James Nov. 24, 1953 2,704,084 James Mar. 15, 1955 2,714,407 Wright Aug. 16, 1955 2,786,480 Hofer Mar. 26, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 280,872 Italy Dec. 23, 1930 

